Classical

"Classical music" is a broad term used to describe a wide range of Western art music that has its roots in the European tradition dating from the 9th century to the 21st century. It encompasses a variety of styles and forms, including orchestral, chamber, choral, and solo music, and it is typically composed by trained musicians who have studied the traditional techniques and forms of the genre.

Classical music is known for its complex harmonies, counterpoint, and formal structures. It is typically written for specific instruments or groups of instruments, such as the orchestra, string quartet, or piano. Classical music is also characterized by its use of melody, harmony, rhythm, and timbre, and it often follows a specific musical form, such as the sonata or symphony.

Classical music is typically divided into several periods, including the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern periods. Each period has its own unique characteristics and is defined by the musical styles and forms that were popular at the time.

Composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven and Frédéric Chopin are considered some of the most important and influential composers in the classical tradition. Classical music is still widely performed and recorded today and continues to be a significant part of the world's cultural heritage.

Free Classical music

21k      650    77    01:25
Ranz des Vaches or "Call to the Dairy Cows" is a small but famous section of the overture to William Tell by Rossini. It is most often used to depict morning or sleepiness in cartoons. Hook starts at 0:21.
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16k      489    42    03:30
Intense and troubling, the strings pull from the bass, creating a full and heavy sound. Meandering between staccato pulses and arduous pulls of the bow, the music is in a dramatic minor key with major chords interspersed throughout. Pauses of silence leave the piece unsettled and without resolve.
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20k      596    87    00:54
Solo trumpet version of the 1862 military ceremonial piece.<BR>
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18k      521    54    00:26
An interesting section of Danse Macabre from around measure 145. There is a particularly nice viola trill with ornament.
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17k      499    42    00:34
Uneven foreboding short cue, winds play opposite strings.
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26k      737    49    00:18
A grooving sting featuring percussion and low staccato strings.<BR>
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17k      495    52    00:57
Starts with cellos, adds horn, clarinet, English horn, contra-tuba - to a final sustained chord. Slow. Thin yet satisfying.
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19k      523    62    00:56
I sort of regal opening brass fanfare. It is meant to join at the end with another piece of music... This works as a stand-alone opening for most anything.
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16k      446    62    00:20
This is one of my favorite sections of "Danse Macabre"... lovely xylophone part.
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17k      451    46    00:41
A very short fugal theme. (3-part imitative counterpoint)<BR>
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24k      589    65    00:40
Small calm transition; descending wind ensemble blending to ascending string ensemble. Short, and efficient!
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15k      372    39    01:27
Woodwinds enter 53 seconds in, and the tone changes from outright depressing to somewhat hopeful.
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20k      489    48    00:15
Just a small section of quiet fast playing strings from "Danse Macabre".
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20k      503    45    02:25
A sound track piece with Kit and Trombones/French Horns throughout.<BR>
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100k      2k    117    05:39
Harpists, by nature, are solitary people who love horses. Getting harpists to play fast together and contour a melodic line is neigh-on impossible. So we have to give all the notes to one person so it doesn't sound like harp hell. But now you need to rest, because plucking like...
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